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Divide and Rule: Sad truth about Congress Party

One of the saddest aspects of our democracy was how the Congress Party continued with the British paradigm of divide and rule. The British effectively divided Muslims and Hindus and Christians against each other in order to rule. They even divided the Hindus against each other by introducing a rigid caste system. Some of the greatest poets and thinkers in ancient India were from lower echelons of power but became renowned and are still cherished for the epics they produced. Valmiki comes to mind.

As a matter of fact there was less mobility of classes in the Western Hemisphere, where classes were rigidly divided into peasants, traders, the nobility and royalty. No peasant could ever become a Valmiki. There was no fluidity between the classes till America became colonised and a new world order came into being.

Thus I am amazed that in a country that got its independence 70 plus years ago, one Dynasty still tries to call the shots and its minions still try and divide and rule the polity. It is as if the British were replaced by a dynasty whose membership still has the DNA of a colonial power. Who still gather intellectuals not by merit but by their religion. Who still shoot themselves in the foot by comparing India to a failing state like Pakistan. A dynasty whose members are so out of touch with the new India that they constantly and consistently try to pit Indian against Indian by invoking the demon of intolerance both religious and caste based. This is not only a dangerous game but one that the World’s Largest Democracy rejects at every level.

I am convinced that in this deadly gameplay that the communists and the Congress have played out again and again, not only are they trying to divide a great historic civilisation but also trying to balkanise it for their own gains: which is to try and get the minorities whether it be by caste or religion to act against the state.

It is a deadly game and many have seen through it. The Congress tried it once before in Punjab where people killed their own in a genocidal fashion to foment discord and slaughter of the worst kind. I lived through that terror in my own state. I would not wish it on anyone. But it it easy to forget. As it is easy to forget the plight of the Kashmiri Pundits where a Congress partner Farooq Abdullah fled the state to his luxury home in London after mismanagement of a state to a level never seen before.

Yes, what the Congress has done to divide and rule India has happened to many of our states and we forget this at our own peril. To compare India to Pakistan is not only a cruel joke but a fallacious lie that not only all Indians will see through but the world polity will recognise it for what it is: A desperate attempt by an irrelevant old party and its equally irrelevant partners to stay in the game of politics even if it destroys the country.

This needs to be remembered by every generation of Indian, lest we forget.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .